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We depend on volunteer research subjects for many of our studies. By volunteering you will be helping MIT researchers to understand the working of the human brain and the causes of many brain disorders – work that may eventually contribute to the development of new treatments.

What to Expect

Studies are conducted on the MIT campus, and typically last from 15 minutes to several hours. Some may involve repeat visits. Most are non-invasive and involve looking at computer screens and pressing buttons -- in some cases while lying in a brain scanner or while wearing an EEG device to record brain activity. Learn more about these brain imaging methods on our Martinos Imaging Center website.

Volunteers are compensated for their time at rates that vary from $10/hr to around $30/hr, depending on the study.

MIT is easily accessible by public transport, and parking spaces next to our building are available for research volunteers. Much of our work involves research on children and adolescents, including studies of normal brain development as well as the origins of conditions such as autism and dyslexia. Directions to the McGovern Institute can be found on our website.

Who Do We Study?

We work extensively with children and adolescents with conditions such as autism and dyslexia as well as adult subjects of all ages and backgrounds.

Children and Adolescents

To learn about all of our research with children and adolescents, please visit Kids Brains at MIT. We aim to provide a ‘kid-friendly’ environment that is comfortable for our young volunteers and their families.

We do extensive research with adults of all ages and backgrounds. To volunteer for any of these studies, please join the Brain and Cognitive Sciences subject email list which which is maintained by MIT's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences.

Disclaimer: MIT is a research institution; we do not treat patients and do not conduct clinical trials, nor can we provide clinical advice. For information about clinical trials in your area, please visit the NIH registry.